‘Perfection doesn’t exist,’ Anthony Taylor speaks on pressure, VAR criticism

Premier League referee, Anthony Taylor, has criticised what he described as the “expectation of perfection” culture surrounding match officials, revealing that his family no longer attends his matches due to the abuse he receives.

In an interview with BBC Sport, Anthony Taylor spoke publicly for the first time about being targeted by Roma fans at an airport after officiating the 2023 Europa League final.

The 46-year-old admitted that the pressure and hostility sometimes make him question whether the job is worth it. Still, he described refereeing at the top level as one of the best jobs in the world.

Taylor, who has officiated in the Premier League for nearly 15 years, also handled games at the 2022 World Cup, two European Championships, and finals of the European Super Cup and Nations League.

He believes football’s “win-at-all-costs” mentality is affecting referees’ mental health and performance.

Taylor recalled being confronted by Jose Mourinho after Roma’s Europa League final loss to Sevilla. The manager, who criticised him publicly, was later banned for four matches.

Taylor and his family were later harassed by fans at Budapest Airport.

“That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” he said.

He added that the experience made him reflect on whether it was a mistake to travel with his family. “They haven’t been to one [match] since.”

Taylor said he believes Mourinho’s conduct likely influenced the fans’ behaviour.

He also addressed the wider abuse of referees, especially at the grassroots level, saying that parents shouting at young referees every weekend “is not an environment conducive to people getting better.”

Taylor accepts scrutiny as part of the job but believes it is often unbalanced. “Nobody really talks about the positive side of things these days,” he said.

The referees’ body, PGMOL, works with psychologists and the mental health charity Mind to support officials.

Speaking about VAR, introduced in 2019, Taylor said it has created unrealistic expectations.

“The amount of scrutiny and analysis around Premier League football means everybody has a quest for perfection.

“In reality, perfection doesn’t exist. We’re expecting referees to get every decision right,” he said.

He noted that fans often contradict themselves on VAR use, complaining about delays one week and a lack of intervention the next.

“We need to bring our heads out of the clouds sometimes to really think a little bit more logically about what the technology’s there for,” he added.

Taylor also spoke about refereeing in extreme heat at the Club World Cup in the United States, describing the conditions as “brutal.”

He said referees had to undergo special preparations to cope, including environmental training before leaving the UK.

Looking ahead, Taylor said he remains committed to the job despite the challenges.

“When it comes down to it, it’s one of the best jobs in the world. You’re right in the centre of the action in the most exciting league in the world,” Anthony Taylor said.

(BBC Sport)

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